Edinburgh and Glasgow aim for European Rugby success

Edinburgh beat Wasps 31-20 at Murrayfield in the European Challenge Cup

Former Glasgow Warriors star Colin Gregor believes Scotland’s pro teams can progress to the latter stages of this year’s European Competitions.

Gregor, who also captained the Scotland 7’s team, was in France on Saturday to watch his old side beat La Rochelle 24-27 in the Champions Cup.

Edinburgh also secured an European win in the Challenge Cup, beating Wasps 31-20.

Gregor, a former scrum-half, said: “I think they’re both in a pretty strong position. Glasgow’s win in France was impressive. French teams don’t like to lose at home.

“Edinburgh’s bonus point win against Wasps was massive. I know Edinburgh’s focus will be on the league but a win in any competition is good for morale and spirit within the club.”

For Colin Gregor, the win in La Rochelle could help to kickstart Glasgow’s faltering season.

He said: “Their season was disrupted by the Rugby World Cup and there was a feeling that they hadn’t got up and running yet.”

Warrior’s head coach, Dave Rennie, is moving on to take charge of Australia at the end of the current season, and Gregor believes that he will want to leave a winning legacy.

Gregor said: “There are big changes ahead but Glasgow can’t think about that. It’s about getting the season on track. The fans’ expectations are that Glasgow will be challenging for honours at the end of the season.”

BBC Scotland rugby commentator, Stuart McFarland, has watched both teams in action this year and he feels that for Edinburgh, it’s not necessarily the star players that have made the difference.

McFarland said: “Some of the fringe players have managed to raise their game and I think that’s been quite significant. I think they have an appetite to do very well in Europe.

“There’s a consistency in their performances in Europe and in their league campaign. It’s well within their capabilities.”

He added: “There’s still a lot of work to be done but I think coach, Richard Cockerill, ambitious as he is, will want to top the pool.”

Rugby journalist, Andy Burke, believes that key to Edinburgh’s continued progress in this year’s Challenge Cup will be the match against Bordeaux in France.

Burke said: “The big one that stands out is the meeting with Bordeaux on January 11. I think that’ll be a shootout for the top spot. I also think this might be a group where two teams come out of it.”

Both teams are in action this Saturday with Glasgow taking on La Rochelle at Scotstoun, Edinburgh travel to Coventry to play Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.